A Few Words About Chillers and Central Air Conditioning Systems

Of course you can always rely on it the fact that any specialist in refrigeration devices can render assistance to you when it`s time and you need to choose a small chiller but a large commercial one that will sort your needs. However, it is always better to know a little more than what chillers are designed to chill. Being well informed about these units, their structure and operation will help you and the consulting shop assistant focus on your needs. Or if you already own one this knowledge is important to you to comprehend what type of chillers you have and how to maintain it.

A chiller is a refrigeration device that is designed to cool water. This is the main way of cooling in a complex climate system. There are units that operate only for cooling as well those that can also work as thermal pumps (bidirectional, double-acting chillers).

The core cold generators are usually fan coil units (simple devices consisting of a heating or a cooling coil and a fan) and central air-conditioners. The chiller is connected to them by means of tubing and a pumping station.

Types of chillers

The basic categories that classify these refrigeration devices are established according to their cooling and connection characteristics.

• outdoor air-cooled chillers


• indoor air-cooled chillers


• air-cooled chillers with detachable condenser


• water-cooled chillers (connected to water-cooling tower or natural running water reservoir)

Each of the basic types mentioned above can vary due to the type of compressor they have and other various configurations used.

Central air conditioning system

Chillers are used almost in every sphere of life nowadays, but they are extremely popular with central air conditioning systems for larger buildings. The chiller unit with fan coil system allows independent and free temperature regulation in a great number of premises at the over the same period of time. In this case the chiller is a source of the cold in the system; it cools the water flowing through the tubing. The latter is used to control the temperature in the space where they are installed in, they can change their performance very quickly so are very flexibly in operation.

This kind of central air conditioning system is used in large buildings such as office centres, hotels, hospitals, shopping malls, hypermarkets and large residential buildings, where there is need to regulate temperature in various separate premises.

Such air conditioning system offers a nice flexibility in air-conditioning of a great number of separate premises. One chiller can be connected to a bulk of fan coil units and heat exchangers offering central air-conditioning or air- supply ventilation across the complete platform. Each consumer can virtually act separately from each other and change the mode of operation to on or off as required. The chiller and fan coil units are not limited by distance and their performance is determined by pumping station and tubing heat insulation capacity. If properly maintained according to the given instructions all types of quality chillers will serve well and last for a good number of years before needing replacement.

Promoting Commercial Refrigeration Contractor Website Content Using Latest Google SEO Methods

Commercial refrigeration business is an essential and important part of food industry and all types of restaurants and other establishments concerned with proper storage and standard procedures handling of food supplies and finished products in compliance with food safety and sanitary norms which exist for this industry.

Professional refrigeration and air conditioning companies have become very diversified and technologically advanced in the recent decades because of the increasing demand for their services and general progress in heating and cooling appliances design and energy conservation in the world of commercially used refrigerators, air conditioners, freezers and vending machines that require some sort of insurance for spoilage by using temperature control and regulation. The maintenance and repair of all kinds of air-heating or cooling units has also undergone significant changes, so it has become a very lucrative professional business to have a refrigeration company operating with a license to provide installation of electrical condenser and evaporator based refrigeration equipment to be included in the inventory of available electrical appliances to support local food related businesses, create food safety and meet insurance standards.

Because the competition in refrigeration service and people servicing it is high, especially those located in large cities and towns, the owner of industrial refrigeration system must constantly think ahead and come up with competitive, efficient and multifunctional products to cater to various types of refrigeration services required by the industry to be successful in the growing refrigeration business. Modern equipment allows to conserve water when using air conditioning or refrigeration service units both for home and industrial purposes. Diversification of refrigeration business demands changing the ways these companies look for their prospective clients and therefore create and promote insurance of stable business leads. In the recent years, marketing and promotion efforts for refrigerators has relied heavily on internet advertising including search engine optimized marketing which generates considerable customer leads for licensed refrigeration or heating business with electrical system components.

Because of the subtle nature of food inspection agency requirements to the type of refrigerating equipment, it is important for commercial refrigeration and air conditioning (as well as heat providing) services to follow industry standards and position their company at a high level of quality assurance. Regardless of what the use for refrigeration is intended to be, for clients it will be important that there is sufficient storage capacity and this is especially true for B2B refrigerator buyers. Energy efficiency insurance is also an important factor when refrigerator distributors advertise their products online: the more equipment is needed for a particular business, home or establishment, the more saving in energy their potential clients will be looking for.

By improving the search engine ratings in major engines available today, the optimization method of doing marketing for their energy efficient refrigeration or heating business can help make website noticeable and effective in reaching potential customers as well as stay ahead of the competitors, because when customers look for specific things in heating or cooling electrical appliances, they will enter these cooling systems or energy efficient furnaces as their search items and keywords. By utilising SEO technique, these keywords can backlink to the website in question bringing new customers and increasing web traffic. The chances of making a sale or gaining customer base are greatly increased when keywords characterising your business lead directly to the site.

How to Compare Carrier Furnace Prices

There are a lot of brands to choose from when shopping for furnaces for your home. One of the well-known brands is Carrier, which offers a wide array of models, each one offering advanced features. You may find that Carrier furnace prices are on the higher end of the spectrum, so it's important to know what you're looking for in a furnace and which among their products meet your needs.

First, determine which type of furnace you want to purchase. On the type of fuel used, you can go for gas furnace, oil, or electric-powered units. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages..

Electric furnace may be easy to install and more convenient but it will consume more electricity and increase your expenses on that area. Gas and oil furnaces are considered cheaper to acquire but may require additional installment costs. In addition, oil-powered units will require intensive maintenance that could eat up your savings. These costs should be factored in when comparing your list of Carrier furnace prices.

Second, know your living condition. What's your weather like during winter? Do you live in a big house? These are some of the questions you need to answer. You will definitely need equipment with higher heating capacity if your place tends to be unpleasantly cold come wintertime. It goes the same if you live in a big house.

If a higher heating requirement is the case, then you should look at the AFUE rating of a unit. This measures the energy efficiency of a furnace. A higher rating means the equipment is more efficient in converting fuel to heat.

Third, look into the features offered by a particular product. As newer models are introduced, the latest technology are integrated. Thermostat control, alarm, timer and other features are given an updated look, bringing Carrier furnace prices higher. But if a basic function will do the work and bring the price lower, you can opt for an older model.

Remember that knowing what you need is the first step in making an excellent purchase decision. Gathering sufficient information will help you further in making the right purchase.

Compact, Convenient and Cost Effective Portable Air Conditioning Units

Regardless of their compact size, portable air conditioners can be every bit as effective as their large, pre-built, and permanently installed equivalents. The cooling power of these portable air conditioning units is sometimes much better than ceiling or central air units. The cost effectiveness of the energy saving units is drawing a lot of attention from homeowners that are looking for ways to cut down on the cooling bills in the face of higher heat indexes than the country has seen in sometime.

Let's face it; permanently mounted air conditioners cost a lot of money, as does any central air unit. The cost effective portable air conditioning units for a residence are capable of cooling up to 300 to 400 square feet of space. This makes it much more cost effective than cooling three to four thousand square feet.

Purchase portable air conditioning units according to the size of the rooms that are to be cooled. These portable AC units more than adequately cool the living room or kitchen areas inside a home or even a large apartment. You will want to purchase a unit that is suitable for the room it is going to be used to cool. This way the area that you are going to be physically present in is cooled and comfortable, while unused rooms can stay at normal temperature. This will give homeowners a significant savings on their utility bills.

Many of the portable air conditioning units are built to have energy saving capacities that automatically monitor the temperature. At one time the units were only capable of being set on one temperature and stayed at that temperature no matter how cool the room got. This is no longer the case. Built in thermostats help regulate how much the unit cools and how often.

In a small apartment with little room for large portable AC units, the compact models offer the comfort of a cool room without taking up valuable space. The units come as small as one square foot to a medium sized unit that will need about two feet of space. These units are mobile and can be placed in optimum areas that require cooling such as the bedroom on a hot summer night.

The use of ventilation fans can help to move the cool air around and cool a much larger area. This is very effective when one central room is used to set up the portable AC unit and another room adjacent needs to be cooled as well.

Shopping for portable air conditioning units is made as easy as possible on the user-friendly sites of the web. You can compare prices, styles, and efficiency by shopping on line without having to run from one store to the next. Portable air conditioning units are priced from around twenty dollars for a very small unit to around three hundred dollars for really good residential portable air conditioning units.

Shop around and stay cool with one of the many compact, convenient and cost effective portable air conditioning units.

Portable Air Conditioning Units for Hot Summer Days

Do you reside in a building where room air conditioners are banned or have inadequate window space? Portable air conditioning units can be moved from room to room, require no lasting installation, and are ideal for cooling single rooms or areas up to 450 sq. ft.? Portable air conditioning units are the answer to staying cool when heat indexes reach astronomical numbers. ?

In a cost conscious economy, portable air conditioning units can be much more cost effective than running central air, especially if you are going to be spending most of your day in one room. Smaller homes such as an apartment or townhouse do not always have an air conditioner or central air, and the tenant must provide their own cooling device but cannot install a window air conditioner because of landlord restrictions. This is where portable air conditioning units are the perfect answer. You don't have to suffer through nights that are just too hot to sleep. You can be cool no matter where you live or what the lease says with portable AC units.

When looking for a portable air conditioner, think about certain factors such as the size of the area you wish to cool, energy consumption, and maintenance requirements.? Four hundred-fifty square feet is a good-sized area and one of the portable AC units will handle that space very well. Some energy efficient models also will feature a heater that can be used instead of air conditioning. These types of portable AC units give you value for your money no matter what time of year it is. ?

There are different levels of power available in portable AC units. One of the stats that are important when choosing your portable AC units is the BTUs that the units will use to put out the cooled air. The larger the amounts of BTUs, the more cool air the portable air conditioning units will put out. Getting the right amount of BTUs will prevent the units from overworking to cool an area it is not designed to cool. ?

Portability is the key to convenience with these portable air conditioning units. Even homes with central air sometimes will need a little extra help, especially in the kitchen area. Most people just give up on trying to bake in the summer because the kitchen gets too hot. With a portable air conditioning unit, you can have your cake and eat it too, in comfort.

When throwing a party you might want to place a couple of these portable AC units by the entryways in order to keep the rest of the house from heating up as the doors open and close. You can realize a significant cost savings by keeping the hot air to a minimum from coming in each time a door opens, or cooling the air quickly before the rest of the house heats up.

These portable air conditioning units have been used quite extensively in cooling centers in the inner cities to help those who cannot afford air conditioning battle the heat. Sometimes the elderly and those with compromised immune systems need a little extra help in the heat of the summer and portable AC units have made it possible to service many people in the inner cities.

Heating and Air Conditioning

Living in West Texas sometimes isn't that fun - there's almost always wind blowing. And since the majority of land out here is barren and used for cotton fields, that means there's always some dirt blowing around. Sometimes it's not just some dirt - it's enough to cover the skies and make everything miserable. You end up with dirt in places you didn't know you had!

Then other times it's so hot you can't breathe without keeping your air conditioner at a steady 65 degrees. Of course, during the winter it's exactly the opposite. It can get so cold that you can't keep comfortable without the thermostat staying at 73 degrees. I couldn't imagine living in Arizona during June with my air conditioner out on the fritz!

With all the changes in temperature and weather conditions, it's no wonder heating and air conditioning specialists are always needed - no matter where you live. A heating and air conditioning unit can last anywhere from 15-20 years with the proper maintenance and is considered a wise investment by many.

Some tips to keep your homes comfy and units working to their potential:

*Change the filters every 30-60 days. Depending on the weather conditions where you live and the allergies of some family members, you will probably change this filter more frequently. The cleaner the air, the better those with allergies will breathe. We can usually tell when to change our filter as my brother has severe allergies that act up if we go longer than a month without changing our air filter.

*Rinse off the outside unit. You don't want dirt and debris building up in the outside unit, so it's best to clean this every few months.

*Use ceiling fans when you can. Ceiling fans will spread the cold or warm air more efficiently, keeping your unit from working too hard.

*Use blinds and curtains where you can. We found out that our home will warm more quickly in the evening since the setting sun shines directly into our front windows - great for the winter, but horrible for the summer. So we bought energy efficient curtains - designed to keep the warm air in and cold air out in the winter and vice versa in the summer.

Remember, these tips will not only help the longevity of your unit, but they can also help keep those monthly bills down.

HVAC System and Air Conditioning Replacement

Once you will do so, you will start saving money on utility bills. According to statistics, though many homes have heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems installed, they are not much help because the systems are of older models and thus less energy efficient. If new components are upgraded in these old systems, then you see a great difference in your utility bills.

Therefore, you should consider hiring air conditioning technician to replace your old components or models with an energy efficient air conditioning replacement that will help you decrease your utility bills. According to experts, boilers and chillers are two components that cause problems to their owners. HVAC maintenance professionals and engineering managers are considering new designs for these components so that they start utilizing energy as much as possible without replacing the HVAC system.

It is not an easy task because experts emphasize that chillers don't operate efficiently when they are not working at full capacity. It is challenging because manufacturers rate the chiller when it is working at its full capacity. However, almost all the chillers never operate at full capacity because individuals are not aware of this fact.

Furthermore, the real unit efficiency varies and it depends on a variety of factors, therefore, it is difficult to categorize how advance and power efficient a chiller actually is. Fortunately, if you regularly keep an eye on your chiller and monitor its performance then you will be able to detect easily if your chiller needs maintenance.

On the other hand, you don't need to monitor the boiler as much as the chiller. Both components are monitored differently. Moreover, their efficiencies are calculated in different ways. For instance, you calculate the chiller's efficiency by calculating the difference between the amount of energy utilized by the appliance and the amount of energy that it exerted. In contrast, a boiler's energy efficiency is calculated by calculating the 'combustion efficiency." This is calculated by checking how well the fuel burns in the boiler and how well the heat in the boiler is transferred into steam or water. Since the boiler's efficiency is usually constant, it does not require regular monitoring. It should, however, be checked at regular intervals.

Therefore, replacing the HVAC system is not always the right solution to reduce the utility bill. You should consider checking your boiler or chiller and see if their efficiency can be improved. Also, air conditioning replacement is an expensive alternative.

Types of Portable Air Conditioners

Portable air conditioners are movable cooling units which need not be permanently installed but are ideal when only a particular area of a building needs to be cooled. Being responsible for a modular cooling effect, the portable air conditioner is normally refrigeration based as opposed to being evaporative and hence requires exhaust hoses for venting. Likewise, it is categorized on the basis of the number of hoses present as being a single hosed unit, a double hosed unit or a split unit.

A single hosed unit, as the name suggests, features only one hose which is located at the rear of the portable air conditioner and is connected to the vent kit through which the hot air is released. While this suitable for cooling down a small room, a dual hosed unit is recommended for being used in larger rooms as it is capable of expelling the hot air at a faster rate while being able to cycle the air in large amounts and stabilize the pressure within the room at the same time. Out of the two hoses in this unit, one functions as an exhaust hose which is meant to vent out the hot air from within the room and the other is meant to draw the cooler air from outside.

The portable air conditioner in a split configuration features a compressor and an evaporator in two separate units both of which are connected to each other through detachable refrigerant pipes. This system is considered as being superior to the single and dual hosed units due to advantages like reduction in the level of noise and no requirement of water drainage. However, this unit cannot be kept within the room like the other two and needs to be installed in the balcony. A portable air conditioner continues with this process of air intake, cooling and venting within the room till the time the temperature of the room stabilizes at a particular point as desired by the occupants.

Tips for Picking a Mini Split Air Conditioner

As real estate grows thinner and thinner and homes push up against each other, the mini split air conditioner has become more necessary than ever. Many of us do not have space for air conditioning ductwork and also lack windows for window-set air conditioning, rendering the need for efficient yet compact units pressing to many people who unfortunately do not know how to choose the right mini split for their home. To avoid the common mistakes made, follow the tips below.

Do not think that a mini split air conditioner coming pre-charged with refrigerant is immediately one you can install yourself. Many companies lead customers to this false conclusion by failing to explain properly that such pre-charged products usually require regulation before they work, and this is a process that still has to be carried out by a professional. Make thorough inquiries before you jumping to conclusions like this, or you may be sorely disappointed when what you expected to be low costs escalated to high one owing to the price of hiring a pro that you did not factor in from the start.

Check the decibel figures for the amount of noise each air conditioning unit makes. This should not be too grave an issue since this type of air conditioner is known for being quiet. Still, you should compare the numbers across units. Lower decibels naturally mean less noise.

Look for an air conditioning unit that has a high SEER rating. SEER figures indicate how efficient a unit is, so you typically want to go with a mini split unit with a very high number here. Even if the unit does appear to carry a higher price tag, you may rest assured it shall be worth every penny you pay. These days, it is fairly easy to find a mini split air conditioner that posts a figure as high as 20 SEER; indeed, many are now posting higher ratings. Consider going for these to keep your energy consumption excellent.

Consider the big picture when buying a unit. The costs involved in buying cooling units like these are not restricted to simply buying the product: you need to search for a mini split air conditioner whose installation is straightforward enough for you to step in and do some of the basic preparatory tasks instead of leaving everything to the professional installers. The bottom line is always better if you are handy enough with your household or garage tools to take some of the work upon your shoulders, as this cuts down the labor costs involved in hiring experts to do the work for you.

Air Conditioning Duct Repair is a Minor Fix For a Major Problem

For most of us, winter is the time when we expect higher gas bills and summer is the time when we expect higher electric bills, especially if we cool our homes or buildings with forced air. But if you suddenly find yourself paying two or three times more for electric than you did in previous summers, it might not have to do with the outside temperature or your air conditioning unit; it could have to do with faulty ductwork. Unlike other air conditioning elements, ductwork doesn't have mechanized parts and is therefore rarely thought of by home or building owners to be the source of their higher summer electric bills. But ductwork can indeed suffer from some problems that make it harder to cool your house or building and therefore drive up your electric bill.

In order for ductwork to function properly, it has to remain tightly sealed so that the full air pressure that's created by your air handler unit reaches your out flowing air vents. When ductwork doesn't remain properly sealed, air pressure can get lost in ceilings, walls and floors as it travels toward out flowing air vents, resulting in a milder cooling effect that leaves spaces feeling tepid instead of cool. In such cases, home and building owners usually crank up their AC to a higher level to receive the optimal cooling effect, and that's when the enormous electric bills start arriving, the greatest portion of which result from the fact that an air conditioner is constantly working to cool a home or a building to a temperature that is never achieved according to the thermostat setting.

If you find your self setting your thermostat at 60 degrees to achieve a coolness of 70 degrees or thereabouts, the best idea is to call an air conditioning maintenance service and have them conduct a free inspection of the problem before your electric bills get out of control. Unlike replacing an air handler or buying a new central air conditioning unit, mending and sealing ductwork is generally an inexpensive fix to a major problem. In addition to receiving the cooling capabilities that you need, it's also important to have a technician perform air conditioning duct repair to prevent your air conditioner from working harder than it should, which could cause it to wear out before it fulfills its projected lifespan.

If you can't immediately afford the repair expense for your ductwork, most air conditioning maintenance providers that offer air conditioning duct repair can provide you with low interest financing options. But before you choose a company, always do a little checking to make sure that your getting a company that completes its work on time and lives up to its advertising. To research a company's history of customer satisfaction, contacting the Better Business Bureau is a smart choice. In addition, you should only hire a company that is licensed, bonded and insured to both insure the quality of the work to be performed and insure that the company can pay damages if something goes wrong.

Helpful Air Conditioning Tips for Preventative Maintenance

Air conditioners are complicated machines which is why most folks call an air conditioning technician for repairs. These can get expensive, especially if you are in an emergency type situation. Outside of repairing your ac unit, there are various things as a home owner you can do for preventative upkeep to maintain your machine running in tip-top form.

Here are some straightforward do it your self guidelines for ac preventative upkeep:

• Keep your ac unit absolutely free from any vegetation that may possibly develop close to your unit and restrict air flow.


• Keep your outside condensing unit clear of leaves and other varieties of yard debris


• Make certain to clean your air conditioner's filters a couple of times a cooling season. If you have a clogged or dirty filter it will make the machine perform twice as hard, lose some of its energy efficiency and may well even lead to the unit to overheat. If an air conditioner gets too hot they will shut off.


• Add bleach to the intake pipe of your air conditioner each 3 months to clear away any mold that may have grown in the pipes. It is encouraged to use in between a third and a half a cup (based on size of unit) of bleach and run the air conditioning quickly afterward.


• Have a HVAC technician come and tune-up you air conditioner. They will typically occasions run specials for an early ac tune-up unique in the spring to leading off coolant levels, check temperature outputs and make certain every thing is operating appropriately. I know I said these are tips you can do yourself but having a technician come each year is something you can do. Air conditioners leak fluid and will not run as efficient if coolant levels are not topped off. A spring air conditioning tune-up will run you about $100 but will make your machine run cooler, long and much more efficient.


• Make sure to examine the evaporator coil and clean it if necessary with a wire brush.


• While the machine is running, monitor the fan to make sure the belts are tight and motion is not restricted in anyway.

You have spent a good amount of money on your ac unit and the last thing you want is to have to devote additional dollars on pricey air conditioning repair. Adhere to these simple do it your self recommendations to assure your air conditioner continues to cool your house appropriately.

Mini Split Air Conditioners - Economical Home Cooling, Or Waste of Money?

Perhaps one of the best products ever invented was the air conditioner. Nothing beats the luxury of being able to sit inside on a blistering hot day as the air conditioner bursts forth super cooled air to chill your home. For many years, our only solution was the window unit air conditioners. These loud and often quirky pieces of equipment helped cool you down but were often inefficient in cooling larger areas. You either had to install multiple units or deal with part of your house being uncomfortably warm. Central air conditioners were a great improvement and they do a fairly effective job at cooling the entire house. Nowadays, they are fairly standard in many newly build homes. But, there is a new kid on the block in the world of air conditioners and it is called the mini split.

A mini split represents an entirely new concept in air conditioning technology in that they are ductless. The need for ductless ac looms large as many houses don't have any space for incorporating the large and bulky duct systems needed for implementing a traditional central air conditioning system. Try to modify an existing house that doesn't have space for ducts can be incredibly expensive and often result in a cumbersome final design. Mini splits require very little space and are much easier to install.

While traditional central air systems have one unit inside and one unit outside that work together to cool air and force it through the duct system, mini splits feature multiple units throughout the house. Instead of relying on ducts, mini splits feature refrigerant lines that run from a single unit outside to each the additional ones inside. These refrigerant lines cool the air and the indoor unit distributes the cool air throughout the house. Some homes can do well with just one unit while other larger houses may incorporate up to 3 and sometimes even more zones to full cool the house.

So, while the overall cost can be much cheaper than central air systems, you do have to content with multiple indoor units. While they are small, this can be viewed as a negative by some. As far as cooling economically, however, you aren't likely to find any negatives here. You see, traditional duct systems can be incredibly inefficient because the cooled air is forced through a massive duct system where much of the cooling is lost during its travel to the register in a particular room. With min splits, the coolant travels through extremely efficient refrigerant lines directly to the units that expel the cooled air. Not only will your mini split cost less to install, your ongoing bills should be cheaper as well.

If your home is woefully without ac, then taking some time to investigate mini splits a little more may be just the solution to your sweat covered brow. In one day, and for less than the cost of a full central air system, you can be chilling in style thanks to a newly installed mini split air conditioning system.

Grow Hair Fast, Long, and Strong - 3 Outrageous Secrets the Experts Don't Want You to Know!

Are you ashamed and embarrassed about your thin hair? It wasn't that long ago that you could grow hair fast, long, and strong, and it was taken for granted, right? If you are a man, are your buddies giving you a really hard time? Well what if I told you I know a few great secrets and methods which has been proven to help you get back those lovely locks! How is that going to change your life?

Imagine what it would be like to be able to throw that old hat or beanie in the garbage bin forever, and just picture yourself feeling much more confident around the opposite sex. Well read every word of this article, and I will guarantee you that you will be on the way to great results fast. Let me share with you a few secrets the experts don't want you to know about - after all they will be losing a lot of money due to lost sales. I haven't got time to put all my tips down, but read on anyway!

1. Try a homemade recipe and you will be amazed by the results.

Chamomile Fields Shampoo by Pioneer Thinker is a great homemade product which contains Chamomile flowers (or tea), soap flakes and glycerin. As far as conditioner goes (and for the men out there, don't neglect conditioner!) Elaine Rowan-Jackson provided the Tropical Conditioner online technique which works wonders and is made up of mashed avocados and coconut milk. You may be worried that these homemade products are a big scam, however I have to say I have used them myself and they do work. Make sure you give them a good chance.

2. Hot oil treatments - another brilliant secret not many people know about.

Did you know that there are two different hot oil treatments that work very well. The first contains soybean oil, Castor oil and low heat. And the other contains rosemary leaves and olive oil. As you can see, very inexpensive household products which are easily accessible. You will have to rinse your hair thoroughly to remove all of the oil from your hair. Sorry I cant tell you the complete recipes due to copyright reasons, but you can find out more by reading on.

3. Try increasing or introducing the following foods in your diet.

Diet and nutrition is extremely important when it comes to how to grow hair fast, long and strong. Many of you aren't probably eating any of the following. I suggest you start. Salmon and Sardines, Eggs, Lentils/Wheat Bran and Germ, Spinach and Watercress, Rice, Seaweed, Cantaloupe, Blueberries, Citrus fruits, Almonds, Walnuts, Sunflower Seeds, Figs, Apricots, Bananas, Raspberries, Strawberries, Oranges Raisins and Prunes. Of course exercise is also extremely important. Get outside, get some fresh air and enjoy life! You will find that when you are relaxed, healthy and feeling great, you hair will start to grow fast.

Air Conditioning Service Tips That Can Save You Money

Your thermostat should be properly calibrated. This will ensure accurate temperature control and operating cycle. This will save you on operating cost and assure your comfort level.

Improper refrigerant charge can damage your compressor, which is the heart of your air conditioning system; this is an expensive air conditioner repair. Systems improperly charged will cause increased electric bills because this will reduce the efficiency of your air conditioning system. The proper refrigerant charge will provide longer equipment life, lower your utility bills and reduce the need for air conditioning service.

A dirty condenser coil (outside unit) will reduce your air conditioning systems ability to remove and reject heat from your home. This will cause your system to run longer and increase your electric bills. The benefit of a clean condenser coil is proper heat rejection, reduced run time and lower energy bills. A dirty air conditioning condenser can lead to system failure and the need for you air conditioner to be repaired.

Dirt and house dust that escapes through your air conditioning filter can cling to the cold moist coil. This will restrict the air flow through the coil reducing your air conditioning system of performance and capacity. Maintaining the evaporator coil will ensure that proper air flow is delivered to all areas of your home, increase comfort levels, provide better dehumidification, and a cleaner healthier indoor environment. Inspecting and changing your air filter on a monthly basis will help prevent air conditioner repairs.

As your air conditioning system removes heat from your home, humidity is extracted from the air. The condensation created by warmer air passing over a cold coil must be drained from your system. This is done through a condensate drain line. The drain must be checked and cleared of algae build up or foreign particles clogging the drain, which could cause water damage to the ceiling or floors of your home. By keeping your air conditioner drain line clear you will reduce the need for air conditioning service and overflow problems which can result in water damage. Proper draining will also aid in maintaining indoor humidity levels.

Dirty blower wheels can affect the air flow to your home; limit your air conditioning system's capacity and your comfort. It can also spread dust particles which irritate sinus and allergies. A clean blower wheel and fan motor will provide maximum air flow, improved comfort levels and proper cooling. Most of air conditioner repairs are caused by dirt and the lack of maintenance.

Moving parts in need of lubrication can cause increased electrical consumption and air conditioner repairs. This is due to additional power required to overcome the resistance in motors and drive shafts that are not lubricated. Proper system lubrication will offer smooth motor and shaft operation, extended part life and less air conditioner repairs.
The electrical components on your air conditioning system should be inspected regularly for signs of wear. Faulty electrical components can lead to very expensive air conditioning repairs. A thorough inspection will reduce the need for air conditioner service if the faulty or worn parts are replaced when found.

Following the above tips will help reduce the amount of air conditioner repairs you will encounter over your air conditioning systems lifespan. If you are in need of air conditioner service make sure the company you choose is licensed and insured to do the required work.

Have You Ever Wondered Why Bald Men Often Have Shiny Scalps?

Have you ever noticed that people who have lost their hair, particularly to male pattern baldness, tend to have shiny scalps? It looks as though they have had their heads varnished with a waxy polish. Yet if you observe a babies bald head it does not have that shiny layer on the surface. And the skin on a bald mans arms isn't shiny. So why does the scalp become shiny?

Why do bald adults tend to have shiny scalps?

The skin secretes an oil known as sebum. This protects the skin from air born microscopic invaders. Sebum secretes in greatest abundance on the forehead, inside the ear and on the scalp - where the skins pores are largest.

Sebum is good for the hair. It's like a natural conditioner. However, if the scalp is not washed well and sebum is allowed to build up and combine with other materials such as dead skin cells (dandruff) and other things like gel and hair spray, it can harden and form a dense, embedded layer of 'plaque'.

So, maybe people with no hair are bald because of the shiny scalp?

Well, actually there are more important causes of hair loss, such as 'DHT', a by-product of testosterone, which kills hair follicles. However there is some cause for concern over the sebum-based plaque.

Hairs shed naturally over a period of time. In fact on average approximately 50 - 75 hairs shed from the human head every day. Someone who is suffering hair loss may lose more like 100 hairs a day. Hair shedding is normal and is the body's natural way of growing hair. However, if your scalp is covered in a dense layer of sebum-based plaque, which fills in the pores, your scalp is going to have a hard time growing new hair.

Effectively what happens in some peoples scalps (usually people who have high sebum levels), is the plaque acts like a barrier preventing the hairs from growing after the old ones have naturally shed.

How do you stop this sebum based plaque build-up?

In order to stop hair loss caused by sebum-based plaque you need to remove the layer of sebum-based plaque from your scalp and prevent it from building up again by normalising your skins sebum excretion levels and caring for your scalp properly.

Parts to Keep Your Heating and Air Conditioning Humming

For Heating Parts, the Do-It-Yourselfer in us wants to tackle installing replacement parts to save money. This can be a fools errand, as HVAC equipment is inherently very dangerous. It may also be illegal in your locale to perform this work. You are certainly opening yourself up to liability should you ever sell your home and there are subsequent problems.
This discussion is for those who are completely qualified and/or licensed as applicable to your local laws.

If you are qualified and are going to proceed, the first thing to find out is where you find the proper parts. Most heating and air conditioning parts has generic replacements which are perfectly serviceable. A qualified HVAC technician would make sure to replace parts that are the exact matches of the original. This applies to every specification including horsepower, voltage, amperage, shaft lengths, diameter and ratings. If you have a connection, parts are available from nationwide wholesalers like Johnstone Suppy or Graingers. If you live near a city of any size, a quick Google search of ("appliance parts "my city") will yield the results of local stores which will sell such parts to individuals. Make sure you bring the part with you, so that you can insure an exact replacement.

If you are changing out blowers, a variable one is a nice choice. It should be considerably quieter, more comfortable and more economical than a single speed blower. Blower motors going bad is a common occurrence. Replacement is one of the easier jobs for a heating and air conditioning professional to do.

Make sure you have the capacitor replaced at the same time. Capacitors are typically only $10-$15 and go bad all the time. They get fried with power surges. In fact, in many cases you may not need a motor at all, just a capacitor replacement. Capacitors carry an electric charge, even when disconnected and you can get a nasty shock if you do not know what you are doing. If your air conditioner compressor is running and your outside fan is not, or if the fan starts, then stops or turns slowly, your capacitor is the first thing to replace.

Blower wheels themselves can be a problem source. Axles crack and these wheels come off - binding in the process and wrecking havoc. This can be the issue instead of the motor, but a dislodged wheel can cause the motor to burn out and you will need to replace both.

It is amazing the amount of parts that the supply houses have for units going back for years and years. Things like gas valves are readily available, as are ceramic ignition coils and thermocouples. If replacing a ceramic ignition coil make absolutely sure that the power is off. The ceramic will not look hot, yet it will instantly sear your skin into a third degree burn.

When buying a new unit, make sure that you do not buy one with a polypropylene secondary heat exchanger. Units on the market with this have experienced numerous problems. The heat exchanger is key, because if it cracks, it will pump deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gas into your home. Always have a live CO detector in your home, because these heat exchangers can fail without warning and without indication that they have failed.

An expensive replacement are evaporator coils. Check the reputation of your brand of choice, because some makers are notorious for having leaky coils. Freon is ridiculously expensive to replace. Typically, it is $400 plus labor. Make sure of your evaporator coils before you ever buy a unit.

These are some of the parts which you can manage if you are a qualified professional. If you have any doubts, contact your friendly local service professional for help. Some may even let you supply the heating parts, if you are willing to waive the warranty on their work.

Pratt and Whitney - A History

Pratt and Whitney Aircraft manufactures aircraft engines. On their famous logo with the Eagle it says: "Dependable Engines". In later years the company had the following slogan: "The Eagle means Business". They have been manufacturing engines (piston and jet) since 1925. The man who started it was Frederick Brant Rentschler. And you thought the company was started by two people named Pratt and Whitney!

Well the Pratt & Whitney Aircraft story is a fairly long and convoluted one. Rentschler founded Wright Aeronautical. Wright Aeronautical was previously Wright-Martin. Wright-Martin was a merger of the Glenn L. Martin Company and the Wright Company which occurred in 1916. Wright Company was created by Orville and Wilbur Wright. Glenn Martin resigned from Wright-Martin in 1917. The company was renamed Wright Aeronautical in 1919. The Wright "Whirlwind" engine was used on the plane that the famed aviator Charles Lindbergh flew solo nonstop across the Atlantic Ocean on May 21, 1927. Then in 1924 Rentschler left Wright Aeronautical with some engineers after a dispute regarding funding for an air-cooled engine which the government requested development of. So Rentschler headed to Connecticut to Pratt & Whitney which at the time was called the "Pratt & Whitney Machine Tool Company". It was founded in 1860 by Francis A. Pratt and Amos Whitney (a cousin of Eli Whitney). They were located in Hartford, Connecticut. Pratt & Whitney provided funds, building facilities, and even their name. Pratt & Whitney Aircraft was incorporated in 1925.

The following is but a short list of well-known aircraft that have had Pratt & Whitney engines installed on them:

B-52 Stratofortress (1952) - the J57
Boeing 707 (1958) - the JT3
SR-71 Blackbird (1964) - the J58
Boeing 747 (1966) - the JT9D
F-15 Eagle (1970) - the F100
Boeing 727 (1980) - the JT8D
Boeing 747 (1987) - the PW4000
Boeing 777 (1989) - the PW4084
F/A-22 Raptor (1991) - the F119

Pratt & Whitney Aircraft manufactured 363,610 piston aircraft engines during World War II which was nearly half of all the engines produced.

Charles Lindbergh was once employed at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft The desk he used can be seen at the Pratt & Whitney Museum in Hartford, CT. Connecticut's economy relies in large part on the Defense Industry and Pratt & Whitney Aircraft is the states largest private employer.

Over the years Pratt & Whitney Aircraft has made engines that have been installed in a large variety of civil and military aircraft. They have also made engines (both piston and jet) that have been used to generate electrical power on the ground. There power plants have been installed in U.S. Navy ships. They even in had small helicopter turbine engines installed on Indy and Formula One racing cars. Pratt & Whitney Aircraft also has a division in Canada that was founded in 1928. It makes turboprop engines for small aircraft.

In 1929 Rentschler incorporated the company called: "United Aircraft and Transport Company". The creation of United Airlines came about from this company. United Aircraft and Transport Company then became United Aircraft Corporation which was comprised of the following four companies: Pratt & Whitney, Vought Aircraft (from Chance Vought - another aviation legend - but this company left in 1954), Sikorsky Aircraft (from famed helicopter inventor Igor Sikorsky), and Hamilton-Standard which makes propellers. Then in 1975 United Aircraft Corporation became the United Technologies Corporation which we know today. United Technologies Corporation or UTC also has Carrier (air conditioning and refrigeration) and Otis (elevators) as business units.

Split Air Conditioner - For Perfect Cooling

Before the invention of air conditioners, people used different ways for keeping them cool. The ancient Romans used air duct water that help in circulating the water through the walls. Chinese used different methods to keep themselves cool during the scorching summers. But things changed with the invention of air conditioners.

The one first invented had many flaws and was hazardous for human health. There was a time when air conditioners were an item of leisure. But they are no more so... Slowly and gradually, our lives have become dependent on them and we cannot live without them in hot weather. Earlier there were few model of Ac's available but now they are available in different types. Split Air Conditioner are one among them.

Split air conditioners are units installed inside the home and the condenser remains outside. It is connected by the means of a refrigerant pipes. They make less noise and are available in different capacities depending on the size of the room. Split Ac's are available in 0.50 ton, 0.75 ton, 1 ton, 1.5 ton and 2 tons. Every manufacturer gives you the details about them. One of the thing you must look in them is the BTU (British Thermal Unit) per hour. It is the cooling capacity.

Different manufacturers due to cut throat competition, prefer to provide customers with Split Room Air Conditioners that have the capacity to deliver 9000 BTU of power to cover an area of 200- 300 sq.ft. They have the temperature setting system that can be adjusted as per your needs. Further the sleep mode operation, helps you in relaxing in your room without any disturbance. From past experiences, people have complained of room having air borne particles. But now you need not worry. All the air conditioners today have air filters. They can be removed easily and cleaned with water. Well you might be thinking, where you will fix the Split Unit Air Conditioner [http://airwater.biz/amcor_split_air_conditioners_uchw-h09af2_2163_prd1.htm]? Well, they can be mounted on a wall. For this, you would be required to make a hole on wall.

A word of caution: Installing a split air conditioner in homes/ offices is not an easy task. Hence, take a professional help. They will assist in selecting the right conditioning unit as per the area and give you an idea about the tubing and installation cost.

This may cost you bit extra... but lets be very clear that the range of Split Unit Air Conditioner is not at all expensive. They are being offered by well known brands like LG, Whirpool, Samsung, Cruise, Amcor and others. Go through the range and see to your needs. If you live in a home with multiple rooms then go for a Dual Zone or triple Zone Spit AC.

How to Buy and Maintain Your Air Conditioner

Unlike other household appliances, air conditioning is perhaps the most expensive and no doubt an absolute essentiality. Proper maintenance and timely repair of the air conditioning system in your house must therefore be of utmost concern to keep you and your family feeling cool in the midst of a scorching summer! When purchasing an air conditioner some important tips one needs to bear in mind are:

1. Energy efficiency of the air conditioner must be tested first because today's environment conscious individuals will opt for more energy saving units that means less consumption of power. Less power also means you can cut down on costs.


2. The model that you are planning to get should be one that uses eco-friendly refrigerants.


3. The area selected for installation that has a major impact on the functioning of the unit.


4. In case the air conditioning unit has not been correctly installed, the cooling will not be as expected and customers are bound to feel let down by the company.


5. Always get an expert to install the air conditioner for you since they have the necessary expertise.


6. It is better to buy your unit from reputed makers after researching reviews and customer feedbacks placed on websites about it.

Air conditioning maintenance is vital to ensure that the unit continues to function smoothly and efficiently for at least a minimum of 15 years and electricity bills are kept under a control. Some valuable tips that you can follow to keep your AC running smoothly are as follows:

1. Clean and replace if needed the furnace filter on a monthly basis particularly in the summer. This is to be done according to instructions given in the manual. The thermostat should be kept at a constant temperature so that the unit does not have to consume more power for cooling.


2. Drainage in the condensation tube must be smooth and hoses are to be leak proof.


3. Registers should be placed at a distance from curtains and furniture items.


4. The duct has to be cleaned every couple of years. Cooling coils must be cleaned and checked annually by applying water using pressure and keeping the machine's power off.


5. The compressor must be placed away from dirt and a water hose may be used to get rid of it. In winter when the machine is not required, the compressor is to be covered with a cloth to protect it from dust.


6. For window ACs panels may be removed when the machines are not needed like during winter months.


7. For those ACs that are placed in windows directly exposed to the sun, plants may be placed to provide shade but not in a way so as to obstruct the air passage.


8. Hire the services of a professional technician to examine the machine from time to time.

5 Essential Wood Burning Stove Accessories

You have made the decision to go with a wood stove this winter.  Now its time to find some accessories that will make using your wood stove easier and more fun.  There are a myriad of accessory choices, but here are a few of  the most essential ones.

Log Carriers and Baskets

If you are using a traditional wood log burning stove, you will need a method for retrieving and storing those logs from the woodpile to the inside of your home.  A log basket or carrier is a handy tool that makes it much easier to transport a number of logs at one time.  They come in various sizes, shapes and materials.  Our favorite is the wicker basket style that transports and stores at the same time.  It is particularly stylish if your home or cottage is decorated in a country style.  For a more sturdy and modern look, there are metal carriers that will do the job.  Always consider your home decor when shopping for a log basket/carrier.

Stove Gloves

Fitting logs inside your wood burning stoves can be tricky.  Purchasing a good set of stove gloves is essential to ensure that your hands are arms are kept safe from the fire and heat.  Although you can use any types of gloves for this purpose, ones that are specifically made for the job are recommended.  Good stove gloves are extra long to cover and protect the arms.   Because they are specially treated with material that withstands high temperatures, they are much safer than a typical glove used during winter months.

Blowers and Heat Reclaimers

Efficiency is the name of the game for wood burning stoves.  Blowers (fans) and heat reclaimers are accessories that will help make your wood stove as efficient as possible.  Keep in mind that any hot air that is not circulated into a room is lost to the outside.  An efficient blower will help circulate the heat throughout a room or house. 

Heat reclaimers are designed to capture heat that would normally go straight up the chimney and circulate that air back into the room.  A highly efficient wood burning stove will have both a blower and heat reclaimer working properly.

Thermometer

A thermometer will not only help you monitor the efficiency of your wood stove, but it will also alert you to any issues involved with overheating.  The thermometer attaches either to the stovepipe or directly onto the stovetop.

Kettles and Steamers

You will want to get the most out of your woodburning stove, so having a few cooking accessories on hand is fun and functional at the same time.   Wood stove kettles can be used for making old fashioned popcorn.  Fill a kettle with water to help humidify a room.  You can even add a touch of potpourri to the water to give the room a special scent too. 

Kettles come in a wide variety of styles, but porcelain covered ones may be the best choice since they resist rust.  If you use your stove for cooking often, consider purchasing a trivet.  Wood stove trivets will help protect the top of your stove from rust spots that could result from the use of a kettle or steamer.  They are made of cast iron and are very durable.

Wood stoves can be a smart decision from both an aesthetic and economical viewpoint.  Wood stove accessories will help your stove be more efficient, fun and safe - all at the same time.

How Coaches Assess Soccer Players

One of the difficulties that soccer players face is realizing how coaches are assessing their talent and potential as a student-athlete. How you perform under game conditions sets the yardstick on how you will be measured. The game demands infinite variety technically, tactically, physically, and psychologically. The game features the excitement and power of two teams trying to score goals on the attacking side and defying that goals will be scored on the defending side.

Coaches will see in this competitive environment which players are totally committed on maintaining or regaining possession of the ball. Under the pressurizing challenge of opponents who are restricting the space and time for players to read and to assess a situation and to adapt themselves successfully. Can they collect a ball safely; initiate a pass, a run, a turn, and a feint, carryout some surprising unpredictable moves, in order to help them or a teammate score a goal?

Good defenders will be able to read and anticipate attacking methods, pursuing and chasing the ball immediately, closing down the attacking space, smothering the attacker's reaction time, intercept passes, steal the ball back, and quickly initiate the attack. All successful coaches are looking for those players who have the skill and desire to attack and to defend.

Every good defender in possession knows how to switch from defending to attacking play. Their agility and skill allow them to run forward, dribble at opponents, play one-twos by using up front players, shield the ball, and to have the courage to shoot at goal and score.

Players are complete only when developed in all areas. Outstanding skill with a weakness in speed, strength, and power makes a player less desirable. The same holds true of players who are physical specimen only to have below average technique. And what of the player with good physical prowess and skill, yet who has no idea of the tactical elements of their team's play? Even less desirable are those players who fall apart psychologically under pressure, "hiding" or lashing out at opponents, teammates, referees, coaches, or parents during the big game.

These elements are developed by exposure to highly challenging daily training sessions and frequent highly combative matches. This will insure the development of the following vital components of the highly recruitable player.

Technical Ability

Ball Control:

You must be able to bring a ball played to you under control instantly and smoothly. This is the ability to collect and move in a different direction without stopping the ball completely, yet still maintaining it securely. Develop the technique of receiving a pass at top speed. This means not slowing down to collect a ball coming on the ground, bouncing, or in the air. You must be able to protect the ball by shielding it and developing deception in order to get rid of your opponent.

Passing:

You must be able to successfully complete short and long range passes. This incorporates all of your ball skills, including heading, bending, chipping, and the ability to drive the ball to a partner. You will find that at a high level, it is easier to control and make quick decisions with a ball that is driven to you, rather than weakly played. Develop the skill of one-touch passing.

Dribbling:

This is the ability to feint, burst past opponents, change directions and speed at will, and break through packed defensive lines. Can you exhibit quick feet, combined with a sense of comfort under pressure, to penetrate into space to open opportunities for yourself or a partner?

Heading:

The ability to head at goal after crosses, heading high, wide, and deep for defensive clearances, heading balls as a one-touch pass (both into space or to a partner's feet) in order to create shooting chances. Can you effectively demonstrate the ability to do this under the duress of the game?

Finishing:

Nothing makes more of an impression on people than the skill of goal scoring. This aspect takes in the correct technique of striking the ball in various ways; driving low balls, hitting volleys, half-volleys, half-chances, chipping, bending, heading, etc. Good goalscorers can also finish with their chest, heel, toe, and thigh. Coaches are looking for that player who can exhibit composed aggressiveness, swift and secure decision taking at the opportune times. The successful goalscorer has the mentality of a great used-car salesman, very aggressive and not afraid of failure.

Tactical Awareness

Tactical insight incorporates the anticipation, reading, and execution of certain clues that happen during possession and non-possession of the ball.

In Attack:

A. Player not in possession:

1. Makes himself available for the ball, perhaps by a diagonal run or a crossover run.
2. Realizes when it is crucial to offer close support and when to stay away.
3. Recognizes the proper time to execute "take-overs" and "overlaps".

B. Player in possession:

1. Has good peripheral vision, allowing him to recognize the correct time to switch the ball to the other side of the field.
2. Has good penetrating vision, allowing him to see and utilize players who are far down the field.
3. Recognizes the correct time to play directly, and when it is important to hold the ball (shielding or dribbling), or when to run at top speed past players opening up passing angles for his team.

4. Sees opportunities to play "one-twos".

In Defense:

During the immediate pursuit, and desire to regain possession of the ball, the player should recognize:

1. When to race forward to intercept the pass.
2. When to mark the opponent tight in order to discourage the ball from being passed to him (pressure).

3. When, where, and how (posture) to tackle.
4. When to jockey the ball carrier and force them away from the goal (patience).

5. The quickest avenue of attack upon regaining the ball.

Physical Aspects

Physical fitness for the soccer player must condition that person to play better soccer. Too many times fitness takes the form of running that has nothing to do with the modern demands of the game. Fitness must be designed to help a player's self-assertion when controlling the ball against tackling opposing players throughout the duration of the game. All physical elements must be balances in order to become a complete player. Fitness and ball control must grow together!

Endurance:
The ability of a player to commit himself diligently throughout the game in attack and defense with no sign of fatigue and impaired ball control. That player must constantly be running into open spaces demanding the ball or pulling and committing opposing players to create openings. Even though this is also a tactical commitment, it will only be successful if you have the endurance capabilities to run for ninety minutes. The coach will be examining your physical exertion as you are being exposed to tactical problems you are trying to solve in the game.

Speed:
The ability to accelerate quickly and maintain that acceleration of the various lengths the player's position demands. As an example, the forward needs acceleration with changes of speed over three to twenty yards. Elements include:

1. Pure straight ahead running speed

2. Lateral speed (changing direction).

3. Change of speed (slow to fast, fast to half speed).

4. Deceleration ("stopping on a dime").

After these basics are attained, speed must be practiced with the ball!

Agility:
The ability to change directions quickly. Twisting, turning while dribbling, readjusting your body to control an awkwardly bouncing ball, and getting up quickly after a tackle are a few examples. This area is enhanced by flexibility exercises such as stretching, ball gymnastics, and skill training with the ball. Conditioning training must be combined with skill and tactical training!

Strength:
The ability to effectively use your body to win physical confrontations. Strength is exhibited during tackling (1 vs. 1), winning the aerial duel (heading), and changing directions effectively (explosion). It is also important to learn how to effectively use that strength to your advantage as is demonstrated in using your arms to hold a player off while running at top speed with the ball or in shooting for power. Much of your strength and power training can be combined with technique training!

Attitude and Personal Traits

Regardless of a player's performance, their skill, tactical, and physical display, other factors heavily influence a coach's decision to recruit a given athlete. Coaches will look at their mental and psychological make-up, their mental ability to quickly and correctly read and assess situations, their motivational drive and will power, their self-confidence and emotional stability. Competition reveals character!

Each coach loves to identify key players with personalities and qualities that cause them to become team leaders. The following personality traits are the most recognizable:

1. Drive: Pure will power, eager to achieve goals, a burning desire to achieve success, strong self-motivation, commitment, dedication, determination.

2. Aggressiveness: "Go getter", strong self-assertions, takes risks, wants to dominate opponents, works hard and ruthless in attack and defense, Danger - bad losers that are inclined to retaliation and revenge fouls, loses self-control, general lack of discipline.

3. Determination: Seeks the direct way towards goal, no compromising, doesn't hesitate when making decisions, willingness, fully concentrated, success-oriented.

4. Responsibility: Intelligent, can read the game tactically (anticipation), conscientious, reliable, wants security, cooperative, ready for compromise, stable and skillful player.

5. Leadership: Intelligence, dedication, pride, bears responsibility for the team, influences the environment, anticipation, intuition, independent and spontaneous, convincing and dominating player, hard worker, and no surrender, composed, self-controlled, endurable, communicative, respected, and trustful.

6. Self-Control: Discipline, emotional stability, composure, discretion, defying conflicts.

7. Self-Confidence: Secure ball control and determined application of skills and tactics under pressure (both external and self-imposed). Danger - these players tend to underrate opposing players, show a lack of willingness to be coached, and can become easily complacent.

8. Mental Toughness: Persistency, consistency, commitment throughout the game, no surrender, tough self-assertion.

9. Coachability: Ready to learn and to achieve goals, self-motivated, attentive and receptive, willingness, interested, spontaneous, committing themselves, likes to discuss problems, hard worker, self-disciplined, creative, constructive, progressive.

10. Conscientiousness: Sensitive, nervous, pre-contest anxiety, diligent, always wants to give their best, modest, reserved, fearful, pondering, self-critical, depends on success, reliable player in solid environment.

11. Trustfulness: Reliable, self-confident, will be respected and attracts sympathy of teammates, untiring commitments, composed and self-controlled, determined influential and communicative, open-minded and approachable, good team spirit.

Air Conditioning Efficiency and How to Maintain It

Air Conditioning systems have a SEER rating which is the seasonal energy efficiency ratio. In a nutshell it describes how efficient the unit is at cooling your home while saving electricity. Energy Star qualified central air conditioners are about 14% more efficient than standard models.

However, as with any piece of mechanical equipment, its efficient operation and performance largely depends on how the A/C system is maintained. According to the Koppen climate classification system, Fort Worth and Arlington Texas have a humid subtropical climate. Because of this climate, air conditioning efficiency matters for Fort Worth and Arlington residents and it is very important to maintain your air cooling system in order to feel an optimal comfort level in your home.

What's great about being identified with the Energy Star label is that it is not a marketing ploy but rather a government backed program which was established to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants caused by the inefficient use of energy. The blue Energy Star logo makes it easy to identify products which qualify under this standard. Energy efficient products save you money on energy bills without sacrificing performance, features, or comfort. And because Energy Star products save you money on utilities, you will recover your investment within a reasonable period of time.

A quick do-it-yourself monthly routine to maintain your air conditioning system is to inspect, clean, or change your air filters on a regular basis. Doing so will prevent dust and dirt from building up in the system. Dirty filters will slow down the air flow which requires the air conditioner to work harder to maintain the desired indoor temperature.

A home owner's nightmare is expensive maintenance and/or early system failure caused by lack of continued maintenance. In order to prevent such a situation an annual professional tune up should be performed by a qualified air conditioning contractor.

A professional annual tune-up will consist of checking all system controls inside and outside of your home, lubricating all moving parts, cleaning evaporator and condenser air conditioning coils, checking your refrigerant level, cleaning and adjusting blower components, tightening all electrical connections, and checking the condensate drain.

Maintaining your cooling system will ensure that your air conditioning equipment will operate at its peak performance to provide you with years of enjoyment.

Controlling Humidity With Air Conditioning

Have you ever thought why do you feel comfortable when you walk into an air conditioned room? Your probable answer will be because it is cold there. There is some truth there but that is not all. Take a good example. You go to a humid room where the temperature is 25°C and you will feel very uncomfortable but you walk into a room at the same temperature where you have a window air conditioner, you will feel comfortable. What is the difference?

The difference is the humidity. Our body, due to its metabolic activity produces heat. This heat has to be taken away from the body. If not the body temperature will rise and you will end up with fever. To have the body temperature controlled at 98.4°F, the body has a mechanism. This is done by sweating. When one gram of water evaporates it carries 540 calories of heat away. When we sweat and the sweat evaporates, our bodies get cooled. When you are in a low humidity air conditioned room the sweat evaporates quicker. But in a humid room the evaporation of sweat is slower. This is the reason why you feel more comfortable when you are in an air conditioned room.

Now how the Window air conditioner does make the room less humid? This is because when you are in an air conditioned room the evaporated sweat or any other water in the room for that matter will go to the air conditioner as water vapor. When this water vapor touches the cooling surface of the air conditioner some of the vapor molecules will become liquid i.e. water and will adhere to the cooling surface of the air conditioner. This water is sent out through a pipe line. This way the moisture in your body will end up outside the room making you feel cold and comfortable.

Home Repairs: Common Problems With Air Conditioners

The air conditioning unit in your home can help save you from the hot, sticky summer weather outside your door, but it can't do that if it's suffering from problems of its own. There are a few common problems your air conditioning unit can experience -- when these occur, they can prevent your unit from pumping out that cool, comfortable air, and could even present more serious problems if not dealt with as soon as possible.

One problem your air conditioner can experience is a frozen coil. When your unit has poor airflow, dirty filters, or some other airway blockage, this can creep up and cause your air conditioner not to function correctly. If your unit is low on refrigerant, this can also cause the coil to freeze. This is a problem that will need to be repaired before your unit will begin working the right way again.

Low refrigerant can cause your inner coil to freeze, but it's also a pretty big problem in its own right. If you regularly have to replace the refrigerant (often called Freon) in your air conditioning unit, it could be the sign of a leak. When the refrigerant is low or gone completely, your air conditioner won't be able to cool as it should, which essentially makes running it a waste. If a leak is present, it should be repaired.

If your outside fan is not functioning, a big part of the unit's process is missing. This is the fan that draws the warmer air from inside your home to the outdoors. When this exchange isn't taking place, it can cause your unit to overheat, trip the safety overload, or both. If you suspect that this outside fan is not functioning properly, it's important to have it checked out as soon as possible.

Bad wiring inside the air conditioner can also cause a myriad of issues for both the unit and your home. A wiring problem can not just cause your unit to not receive power, it can also trip your home's circuit breaker, and can even present a potential fire hazard. Needless to say, faulty wiring is a problem that requires the immediate attention of an air conditioning repair specialist.

These are some of the more common problems your air conditioner could experience. By locating a nearby repair company, you can be sure that you have the number of someone qualified to take care of such issues should the need arise, as well as someone who can perform regular check-ups on your unit.

Buying Air Conditioning For Less

When buying air conditioning, selecting the right merchant or service will ensure that your climate control needs will be met more easily and effectively. A poor choice of retailer or repair service could limit your opportunities or require greater expense. Doing business with the best will allow you to enjoy greater benefit for your investment.

Customers who are in need of initial installation, upgrades or even repair services could find themselves in a very uncomfortable position if they make a poor choice. Having to suffer through an inconvenient delay for climate control solutions can be very irritating. The right retail and repair opportunities will shorten the time needed to enjoy a more comfortable home or business.

Equipment required to cool a larger household, business or other large structure could represent a truly sizable investment. Making an ineffective selection for your retail opportunities could incur greater expense. Customers who make every effort to find the best deal they have available may be able to enjoy a measure of savings.

Cost concerns are not the only factor that should govern the decisions customers will be making. Working with any service that will be unable to provide the installation or repairs you are in need of may be little more than a waste of time. Superior services will be able to offer quality work and more convenient arrangements.

With so many different opportunities to find the machinery and services you are in need of, beginning your search can seem like more of a challenge than it needs to be. Conducting the most successful search will require customers to stay focused on the best resources. Exploring and assessing a narrower range of alternatives will make for a more efficient search.

Using a computer to seek out and find new opportunities to consider could provide a much better way to conduct your research. Discussing your needs with more than one retailer or repair professional will give you the chance to compare more than one option. Such measures, when neglected, could greatly reduce the number of opportunities that you have to make use of.

Buying air conditioning is an important concern for any customer who is interested in a cost effective way to beat the heat. Investing in the best equipment and the right services can be a paramount concern. Learning more about the opportunities that can be found would be an important step in making a better investment.

Shoulder Separation Repair - The AC Joint Injury

A shoulder separation injury is quite painful. It is actually not an injury to the shoulder; rather it is an injury to the acromioclavicular joint, also known as the AC joint, which is located where the collarbone connects to the highest point of the shoulder blade.

The most common cause of a shoulder separation injury is a fall onto the shoulder. A fall with enough impact or the right angle will result in the ligaments that stabilize the AC getting damaged, which cause the shoulder to separate.

If the force of the fall is great enough, the collarbone and the wing bone separates causing the wing bone to move down, which can be identified by a lump or bulge above the shoulder. The injury can result in very little damage to severe damage causing great deformity. The greater the deformity means it will take much longer for the shoulder to be pain free.

繚 A mild shoulder separation involves a sprain of the AC ligament that does not move the collarbone and looks normal on X-rays.

繚 A more serious injury tears the AC ligament and sprains or slightly tears the coracoclavicular (CC) ligament, putting the collarbone out of alignment to some extent.

繚 The most severe shoulder separation completely tears both the AC and CC ligaments and puts the AC joint noticeably out of position.

A mild to moderate shoulder sprain or separation can heal without surgical intervention. The most common nonsurgical treatments include rest, pain medication and physical therapy. People typically must wear a sling, which keeps the arm and shoulder from bearing weight that can aggravate and lead to further injury.

Shoulder Separation Surgery

Surgery should be considered if pain persists and the deformity is severe. A surgeon may recommend trimming the collarbone so that it does not rub against the nearby acromion.

When the deformity is severe, surgery may be needed to reconstruct the ligaments that attach underneath the collarbone. When surgery is required, extensive rehabilitation is required to gain back full mobility and pain free movement.

Shoulder separation injuries can happen to anyone. The most common cause is a fall, trip or direct blow to the shoulder area. Active youths and adults that participate in sports as well as elderly individuals that slip or fall are the most at-risk individuals.

If you have experienced a fall or direct impact to the shoulder, you should see your healthcare provider immediately to have it assessed.

Going Hybrid With Your Heating and Air Conditioning System

Californians love their cars. They are either playing around with them in the garage or making frequent visits to the neighborhood gas station to make sure they're performing their best. Spark plugs, oil, as well as air filters tend to be changed if the manufacturer recommends it, and occasionally beforehand. We all know that tune-ups will help keep our trustworthy cars or trucks on the highway for a long period of time and the optimized gas mileage helps as well. It's not simply a matter of pride any longer. With today's economic climate and high price tags, it's also a matter of need. So long as the old automobile remains to be dependable, you won't need to be concerned about how you're intending to make a new car or truck payment within your currently strained monthly budget.

The identical principal relates to your home's HVAC system, but many folks don't remember it because they are not constantly reminded of it each day. Nevertheless, your system most likely runs non-stop, apart from a couple of weeks in Spring and Fall. Standard upkeep can help it function more efficiently and reduce your monthly cooling and heating costs. It can also help to prolong the lifespan of the system and put off costly replacement expenses.

Almost everyone is aware of the idea of hybrid cars nowadays, and along with the cost of gasoline, it's easy to understand how they've become so popular. If you've heard of the vehicles but aren't sure about the way they work, they use a mixture of gas and electric power to run the vehicle and, based on one's driving habits, they could massively decrease the amount of fuel used each month. The cars are also more environmentally friendly than regular gas or diesel-powered vehicles.

A similar concept is also available for your home's heating and air conditioning system, and may help with considerable energy and cost savings, particularly throughout the winter months. A hybrid system utilizes an electrical heat pump to warm your house over the winter. It is a similar energy-efficient style that's been utilized for several years. A heat pump is designed to pull warm air from the exterior to heat your house. This warmth is available on nearly all of the coldest days. However, the main concern with electric heat pumps is that they often are not very efficient in areas that will get exceptionally cold through the winter season because there simply isn't much warm air for them to pull in the exterior climate.

In those regions, homeowners usually make use of gas heat which warms the home quickly and efficiently, but could be also rather costly. An ideal solution is a hybrid fuel design and layout. It incorporates an electric-powered heat pump to supply cost-effective heat for the majority of the winter, but changes over to gas heat as soon as temperatures fall below where the heat pump is most effective.

Call an HVAC expert right now to learn about the options for a hybrid fuel heating and air conditioning system. Both your checking account and the environment will be thankful.

Easy Recipes - Pomegranate, the Fruit of Love

Surprisingly few people know that in Greece the pomegranate is considered the fruit of love. And although many may somewhat loosely associate the seedy red fruit with Mediterranean, it is actually quite a prolific tree, and its fruit is enjoyed in most mildly temperate climates around the world. One can't deny that is intriguing, ruddy red with lumpy, leathery skin on the outside and chock full of glistening, candy red juicy seeds on the inside. We avoid the seeds with most fruits; with pomegranates the seeds are the only to go for. Eating a pomegranate out of hand is tedious. The white papery flesh is astringent and bitter and must be avoided, while the hard kernels of the seeds can get stuck between one's teeth. No wonder it's regarded as the fruit of love!

If you're like me, you've seen pomegranate juice in a wide variety of locations, and immediately wanted to buy some and try it. Delicious, pomegranate taste without the seeds or hassle! But I confess that I've never tried this appealing elixir due to its prohibitive point (staying true with its reputation as the fruit of love!). I haven't seen pomegranate juice in anything but 100% form, but I for one would pass on a diluted variety. It just wouldn't be the same. I feel the same way about passion fruit juice: concentrate it and mix with a pound of white sugar if you want, but please don't dilute it with pineapple juice or other such nonsense.

So what can we do with pomegranate seeds in cooking? Truth be told, not a whole heck of a lot. But I can't resist buying pomegranates occasionally, being the curio that they are. And I confess serving a spinach-based salad for two textured with chopped walnuts, minced celery, and pomegranate seeds, dressed with a balsamic vinaigrette. And as for what they say about it being the fruit of love, well I think it's true!

Before Buying A Portable Air Conditioner Consider This Odd Fact

If you have been wanting to cool yourself down this Summer and Fall, and are considering the advantages of a portable air conditioner, but are looking for ac buying advice and portable air conditioner reviews before you buy, then you have landed in the right spot. In this short article we will reveal a really odd fact that might shock you and might just save you hundreds of dollars that you could have wasted on buying a portable air conditioner, especially a small portable AC, or a cheap portable AC. So read attentively.

Portable air conditioners are popular

Portable air conditioners are becoming popular because of their relatively simple installation, no need to build ducts as with ducted air conditioning units, drill holes in the wall as in through-the wall air conditioning units, or take up significant portions of the window surface, such as needed with the window air conditioning units.

Portable AC units help students in their dormitory rooms, they help apartment dwellers who are limited in their ability to modify the infrastructure of their homes, and they help home owners with existing central AC systems in their homes. Indeed, even if you already have a central air conditioning functioning, you may still want to save additional money by selectively cooling air only in spaces that are occupied, such as living rooms during the day.

The odd fact - some portable air conditioning units come with a single hose!

You need to be aware that there will be a hose running from the unit toward the window to exhaust the hot air out through the window. And there lies the rub. The odd fact that few manufacturers of portable AC units will say loudly and openly, is that a single hose is simply not enough. You need the air intake hose and the air exhaust hose, both extending towards the window and circulating the outside air around. Why?

Why a single hose is not enough?

Imagine a single hose blasting the very hot air out the window. Well, yes, you will get some chilling effect on the other end of the portable AC unit. But ask yourself, since you are not running out of air in your room, where does the air which is replacing the hot air that is blasting out of the window coming from? Well, the answer is simple, it comes from the outside of the room. Be it through the cracks in the windows or doors, be it through the ducts, it comes from the outside of the room. And, considering that you are trying to cool your room, in all likelihood this air coming in is quite warm. So what is happening with a single hose portable AC is that the unit is constantly cooling down the new hot air coming from the outside. Very ineffective. Let's contrast this with a dual hose portable AC unit.

Why a dual hose portable air conditioner is the best

With a dual hose portable air conditioner, the air from the outside of the house, figuratively speaking, makes a full circle. It starts as a relatively hot air from the outside, goes through the intake hose to the portable air conditioner, takes on some heat there, and is eventually exhausted through the second hose to the outside air. Big difference compared to a single hose system: The air in the room is still the same, it did not have to be sucked in from the outside. Therefore, by closing the circuit of the outside air using the dual hose, we have to a large degree been able to cool the same air inside the room all the time. Therefore, that same air can be cooled down faster and to a lower temperature as if we had to constantly chill the new incoming room air.

You could compare having a single hose portable air conditioner to using a car air conditioner with the car windows rolled down, and you would have a perfect analogy. Or you could compare a dual hose portable air conditioner with a car air conditioner with the windows rolled up.

Energy Efficiency - How Your Air Conditioners Zones Can Help

Air Conditioning Zones: Attaining comfort and cost efficiency at home

Imagine this. You set the air conditioning to a comfortable temperature in your home office, situated in the upper level of your home, and settle down to concentrate on an important client pitch you are about to make the next day. Your wife is downstairs watching her favorite sit-com while the kids are romping playfully in their bedroom. Soon, you find your home office getting uncomfortably warm until you realize that someone in the house decided it is getting too cool for comfort and turned the switch to change the temperature. If this happens on a regular basis, it can be a cause for irritation not just for one person, but to the whole family. Soon, it's a situation akin to fighting over which TV channel to watch.

Basic physics tells us that warm air will rise and cool air stays down. So, while you regulate the air conditioning in the upper floor to keep the warm air cool, the rest of the family is feeling the cold air uncomfortable. How can this be resolved?

Zoned Comfort is the way to go

Having a single air conditioning system for the whole house is no longer a desired option and can eliminate situations like the one described above. While buying or building a home, it makes sense to ask about air conditioning zones or incorporate it into your building plan.

While planning the air conditioning zoning for your home, it makes sense to consider the following aspects to determine how many zones your home should have:

· The way in which the different rooms in the house are designed for use

· The number of levels the house has

· The amount of exposure of each room to the elements and local humidity in your area

· The life-style of the family

With zoning, you can have up to 3 or more zones, depending on the size of your home and its usage. What this essentially does is to divide your home into separately conditioned areas that need cooling or heating by the use of thermostats that work independently of each other.

Other points to consider:

· If your home has an atrium, solarium, fitted cellar or a room with huge expanses of windows it might require a separate zone.

· Guest bedrooms might need to be zoned differently

· If the lower level is most commonly used, then it makes sense to have a separate zone for the upper level to be powered on only during use, rather than have the whole house share a single air conditioning system.

The use of air conditioning zones is catching on really fast across America as more people realize the energy and cost efficiencies that it brings. Air conditioning rooms that don't need it for the most part is not an energy saving or cost-efficient way of managing conditioning of a home. Using air conditioning zoning is known to reduce energy bills by 20-25% over all.

Also check out what local utility and Fed rebates might be available for installation of air conditioning in your home.

Apart from keeping your bills down, it is a practical way of allowing your family to be in their comfort zones and keep the peace at home.

12000 BTU Air Conditioner Units

You can find 12000 BTU air conditioners in wall, window, portable, and split wall-mounted types. (A split air conditioning unit means the evaporator is inside, but the condenser unit is on the outside of the building.) A 12000 BTU air conditioner is a rather large air conditioner and it is perfect for cooling and dehumidifying rooms of approximately 600 square feet in size. A 12000 BTU a/c is sometimes called a "one ton" unit. But this has nothing to do with weight, this simply describes the power output.

In order to have sufficient electricity to run a 12000 BTU air conditioner, you'll need either 120- or 240-volt power. For air conditioners using less than 7.5 amps, you can just plug them into a standard outlet, although you'll need a dedicated circuit for units drawing on more power than that. 240-volt circuits are typically only needed for air conditioners with outputs greater than 12000 BTUs. (A BTU is a British Thermal Unit and this describes how much output a particular air conditioning unit has.)

Some typical features of such an a/c unit would be:

* Cools rooms 600 to 640 square feet in size
* Electronic controls for convenience and ease of programming
* Antimicrobial mesh filter
* Tilt-out filter access
* Eight-way air direction control

Of course, the purpose of any air conditioning unit is to both cool and dehumidify. Depending on where you live, one of these purposes may be more important to you than the other. For instance, if you live in the American Southwest it will be more important for you to cool a room than to dehumidify it. But if you live in southern Florida, you'll likely need to take full advantage of both features. Today's a/c units have some fine-tuning controls so that you don't waste energy and you can set a unit's capacity up to do what you most need done.

It's important to pay attention to the fact that a 12000 BTU a/c unit is designed to cool and dehumidify quite large rooms, because with their power draw you don't want to waste your money on the purchase and installation of such a large unit and then run up an electric bill that needn't be so high unless it is a necessity. Some homes, for example, have open rooms that make such a large unit ideal for use, but if your home has closed-off rooms you might not need a such a large model.

It's possible that you might need a mixture of more than one size of a/c unit, such as a 12000 BTU a/c unit and some other, smaller a/c unit. It all depends upon the layout of your home or office building. Figure out carefully how large your areas are where you need air conditioning and do your best to figure out how much "drift" there will be, if any, between different rooms and areas. Take all these considerations into account, and make a smart, economical choice when considering your a/c unit.

What is a Heating and Air Conditioning Lemon Guarantee?

As terrible as it may be, a lot of people are out there to make a quick buck. The last thing you want is to end up with a lemon product that you can't get your money back for. You may immediately think of buying a dud for a car, but situations go further than that. For example, you may want to keep your eye out for heating and air contractors installing worthless systems in your home. That is why it is important to make sure you are working with a contractor that offers a lemon guarantee with their installation. Let me explain...

A lemon guarantee with a HVAC company is a contract that agrees you won't be stuck with a dead product after the technician installs your unit. It means that if your unit should falter, you will be replaced with a new one free of charge.

This is an important quality to look for in your heating and air conditioning contractor. Something you should do as the consumer is to get your guarantee in writing. One should get at least a five year coverage that will take care of the major components of your unit should anything go wrong. The last thing you want is to be assured you have a lemon guarantee and then when something does go wrong you are stuck with nothing to prove it.

It is always important to cover you basis, even with your heating and air contractor. If you want to make sure you are getting the most out of your money and system, do not forget to take advantage of a company that offers a lemon guarantee. You won't regret it when it's mid summer and your system turns into a dud.

Carrier Air Conditioning Units - The True Air Conditioners Capable of Cooling As Well As of Heating

When we say "air conditioner" we generally think of appliances that cool the room. Properly speaking, the things we call air conditioners are really air coolers which cannot do much for conditioning the temperature in a freezing room. In fact, most of us would think it strange to put on an air conditioner in the middle of winter. Up until Carrier air conditioning units featured some products capable of both cooling and heating the room, such was indeed the case. Today, however, the true "air conditioners" have hit the market thanks to Carrier.

The company is famous not only in the USA but through their franchises all throughout the globe for powerful and quiet air cooling comfort. Over the years, their name has become associated with being the leader in incorporating innovative design and functionality in air conditioners. Among their latest innovations in home temperature control are Carrier air conditioning units (also called Carrier heat pumps) that have the equal ability of either cooling or heating up a room. It is also perfectly quiet as most carrier units are.

A visit to their website will furnish an interested client with all the information about products, about warranties and about troubleshooting the products. The customer support module also contains information about how buyers of Carriers units can avail of tax credits amounting to as much as $1,500 USD. Carrier also offers rebates of as much as $100 if someone trades in an old model Carrier air conditioning unit for a brand new one. For more clarifications and additional queries not found in the content of the website itself, people can avail of their highly interactive customer support module.

Additionally, their website features content about the latest technology incorporated into Carrier air conditioning units. For people who are not sure of what type of Carrier air conditioning units will be best for them, the website has a section for asking experts about this concern. They will provide you with suggestions about how to ideally condition the temperature of your home so that it is healthy and comfortable to stay in. But they won't stop with suggestions, they can actually recommend the best and cheapest way to achieve home improvement.

Because Carrier units are very energy efficient they can help their clients to make huge savings on their power expenses. These savings will be more evident, the more need there is to use Carrier air conditioning units. Because many of Carrier products carry on them the seal of the Energy Star, they are environment friendly. This goes to show that not only does Carrier technology make your home comfortable and clean, but it also preserves the environment from the adverse affects of pollution

So the next time you think about air conditioners, think about one that can equally make your home pleasant to stay in during hot summer days as well as during the biting cold of winter. This means Carrier air conditioning units.